OT: "Where did I put that dumbbell?"

Everything but the Subject line is OFF topic, Freides!

There I feel much better having said that.

Friday, October 20, 2006 · Last updated 3:23 p.m. PT

Scientists create cloak of invisibility

By Randolph E. Schmid
AP Science Writer

WASHINGTON -- Scientists are boldly going where only fiction has gone
before - to develop a Cloak of Invisibility. It isn't quite ready to
hide a Romulan space ship from Capt. James T. Kirk or to disguise Harry
Potter, but it is a significant start and could show the way to more
sophisticated designs.

In this first successful experiment, researchers from the United States
and England were able to cloak a copper cylinder.

It's like a mirage, where heat causes the bending of light rays and
cloaks the road ahead behind an image of the sky.

"We have built an artificial mirage that can hide something from
would-be observers in any direction," said cloak designer David
Schurig, a research associate in Duke University's electrical and
computer engineering department.

For their first attempt, the researchers designed a cloak that prevents
microwaves from detecting objects. Like light and radar waves,
microwaves usually bounce off objects, making them visible to
instruments and creating a shadow that can be detected.

Cloaking used special materials to deflect radar or light or other
waves around an object, like water flowing around a smooth rock in a
stream. It differs from stealth technology, which does not make an
aircraft invisible but reduces the cross-section available to radar,
making it hard to track.

The new work points the way for an improved version that could hide
people and objects from visible light.

Conceptually, the chance of adapting the concept to visible light is
good, Schurig said in a telephone interview. But, he added, "From an
engineering point of view it is very challenging."

The cloaking of a cylinder from microwaves comes just five months after
Schurig and colleagues published their theory that it should be
possible. Their work is reported in a paper in Friday's issue of the
journal Science.

"We did this work very quickly ... and that led to a cloak that is not
optimal," said co-author David R. Smith, also of Duke. "We know how to
make a much better one."

The first working cloak was in only two dimensions and did cast a small
shadow, Smith said. The next step is to go for three dimensions and to
eliminate any shadow.

Viewers can see things because objects scatter the light that strikes
them, reflecting some of it back to the eye.

"The cloak reduces both an object's reflection and its shadow, either
of which would enable its detection," Smith said.

The cloak is made of metamaterials, which are mixtures of metal and
circuit board materials such as ceramic, Teflon or fiber composite.

In an ideal situation, the cloak and the item it is hiding would be
invisible. An observer would see whatever is beyond them, with no
evidence the cloaked item exists.

"Since we do not have a perfect cloak at this point, there is some
reflection and some shadow, meaning that the background would still be
visible just darkened somewhat. ... We now just need to improve the
performance of cloaking structures."

In a very speculative application, he added, "one could imagine
'cloaking' acoustic waves, so as to shield a region from vibration or
seismic activity."

Natalia M. Litchinitser, a researcher at the University of Michigan
department of electrical engineering and computer science who was not
part of the research team, said the ideas raised by the work "represent
a first step toward the development of functional materials for a wide
spectrum of civil and military applications."

Joining Schurig and Smith in the project were researchers at Imperial
College in London and SensorMetrix, a materials and technology company
in San Diego.

The research was supported by the Intelligence Community Postdoctoral
Research Fellowship Program and the United Kingdom Engineering and
Physical Sciences Research Council. From:
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/nation...ml?source=mypi


--
Curt

Curt James wrote:
> Everything but the Subject line is OFF topic, Freides!
>
> There I feel much better having said that.
>
> Friday, October 20, 2006 · Last updated 3:23 p.m. PT
>
> Scientists create cloak of invisibility
>
> By Randolph E. Schmid
> AP Science Writer
>
> WASHINGTON -- Scientists are boldly going where only fiction has gone
> before - to develop a Cloak of Invisibility. It isn't quite ready to
> hide a Romulan space ship from Capt. James T. Kirk or to disguise Harry
> Potter, but it is a significant start and could show the way to more
> sophisticated designs.
>
> In this first successful experiment, researchers from the United States
> and England were able to cloak a copper cylinder.
>
> It's like a mirage, where heat causes the bending of light rays and
> cloaks the road ahead behind an image of the sky.
>
> "We have built an artificial mirage that can hide something from
> would-be observers in any direction," said cloak designer David
> Schurig, a research associate in Duke University's electrical and
> computer engineering department.
>
> For their first attempt, the researchers designed a cloak that prevents
> microwaves from detecting objects. Like light and radar waves,
> microwaves usually bounce off objects, making them visible to
> instruments and creating a shadow that can be detected.
>
> Cloaking used special materials to deflect radar or light or other
> waves around an object, like water flowing around a smooth rock in a
> stream. It differs from stealth technology, which does not make an
> aircraft invisible but reduces the cross-section available to radar,
> making it hard to track.
>
> The new work points the way for an improved version that could hide
> people and objects from visible light.
>
> Conceptually, the chance of adapting the concept to visible light is
> good, Schurig said in a telephone interview. But, he added, "From an
> engineering point of view it is very challenging."
>
> The cloaking of a cylinder from microwaves comes just five months after
> Schurig and colleagues published their theory that it should be
> possible. Their work is reported in a paper in Friday's issue of the
> journal Science.
>
> "We did this work very quickly ... and that led to a cloak that is not
> optimal," said co-author David R. Smith, also of Duke. "We know how to
> make a much better one."
>
> The first working cloak was in only two dimensions and did cast a small
> shadow, Smith said. The next step is to go for three dimensions and to
> eliminate any shadow.
>
> Viewers can see things because objects scatter the light that strikes
> them, reflecting some of it back to the eye.
>
> "The cloak reduces both an object's reflection and its shadow, either
> of which would enable its detection," Smith said.
>
> The cloak is made of metamaterials, which are mixtures of metal and
> circuit board materials such as ceramic, Teflon or fiber composite.
>
> In an ideal situation, the cloak and the item it is hiding would be
> invisible. An observer would see whatever is beyond them, with no
> evidence the cloaked item exists.
>
> "Since we do not have a perfect cloak at this point, there is some
> reflection and some shadow, meaning that the background would still be
> visible just darkened somewhat. ... We now just need to improve the
> performance of cloaking structures."
>
> In a very speculative application, he added, "one could imagine
> 'cloaking' acoustic waves, so as to shield a region from vibration or
> seismic activity."
>
> Natalia M. Litchinitser, a researcher at the University of Michigan
> department of electrical engineering and computer science who was not
> part of the research team, said the ideas raised by the work "represent
> a first step toward the development of functional materials for a wide
> spectrum of civil and military applications."
>
> Joining Schurig and Smith in the project were researchers at Imperial
> College in London and SensorMetrix, a materials and technology company
> in San Diego.
>
> The research was supported by the Intelligence Community Postdoctoral
> Research Fellowship Program and the United Kingdom Engineering and
> Physical Sciences Research Council. From:
> http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/nation...ml?source=mypi
>
>
> --
> Curt

We are working on a top secret invisible kettlebell. It will be great
for avoiding getting funny stares at the park or at the gym... ;-)
I'll keep you all posted...

John
http://www.kettlebellinc.com

Kettlebell Inc wrote:
> Curt James wrote:
> > Everything but the Subject line is OFF topic, Freides!
> >
> > There I feel much better having said that.
> >
> > Friday, October 20, 2006 · Last updated 3:23 p.m. PT
> >
> > Scientists create cloak of invisibility
[...]

> > Cloaking used special materials to deflect radar or light or other
> > waves around an object, like water flowing around a smooth rock in a
> > stream. It differs from stealth technology, which does not make an
> > aircraft invisible but reduces the cross-section available to radar,
> > making it hard to track.
[...]

> > "We did this work very quickly ... and that led to a cloak that is not
> > optimal," said co-author David R. Smith, also of Duke. "We know how to
> > make a much better one."
[...]

> > Natalia M. Litchinitser, a researcher at the University of Michigan
> > department of electrical engineering and computer science who was not
> > part of the research team, said the ideas raised by the work "represent
> > a first step toward the development of functional materials for a wide
> > spectrum of civil and military applications." <snip> From:
> > http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/nation...ml?source=mypi

> We are working on a top secret invisible kettlebell. It will be great
> for avoiding getting funny stares at the park or at the gym... ;-)
> I'll keep you all posted...

Cool. Will I be able to use my 10% discount coupon for that as well as
the rest of your products? ;o)

Got your blanket email with the list of the winners for the drawing.
Congrats to those folk and best of luck with continued KB success,
John.

> John
> http://www.kettlebellinc.com

--
Curt

Curt James wrote:
> Everything but the Subject line is OFF topic, Freides!
>
> There I feel much better having said that.
>
> Friday, October 20, 2006 · Last updated 3:23 p.m. PT
>
> Scientists create cloak of invisibility
>
> By Randolph E. Schmid
> AP Science Writer
>
> WASHINGTON -- Scientists are boldly going where only fiction has gone
> before - to develop a Cloak of Invisibility. It isn't quite ready to
> hide a Romulan space ship from Capt. James T. Kirk or to disguise Harry
> Potter, but it is a significant start and could show the way to more
> sophisticated designs.
>
> In this first successful experiment, researchers from the United States
> and England were able to cloak a copper cylinder.
>
> It's like a mirage, where heat causes the bending of light rays and
> cloaks the road ahead behind an image of the sky.
>
> "We have built an artificial mirage that can hide something from
> would-be observers in any direction," said cloak designer David
> Schurig, a research associate in Duke University's electrical and
> computer engineering department.
>
> For their first attempt, the researchers designed a cloak that prevents
> microwaves from detecting objects. Like light and radar waves,
> microwaves usually bounce off objects, making them visible to
> instruments and creating a shadow that can be detected.
>
> Cloaking used special materials to deflect radar or light or other
> waves around an object, like water flowing around a smooth rock in a
> stream. It differs from stealth technology, which does not make an
> aircraft invisible but reduces the cross-section available to radar,
> making it hard to track.
>
> The new work points the way for an improved version that could hide
> people and objects from visible light.
>
> Conceptually, the chance of adapting the concept to visible light is
> good, Schurig said in a telephone interview. But, he added, "From an
> engineering point of view it is very challenging."
>
> The cloaking of a cylinder from microwaves comes just five months after
> Schurig and colleagues published their theory that it should be
> possible. Their work is reported in a paper in Friday's issue of the
> journal Science.
>
> "We did this work very quickly ... and that led to a cloak that is not
> optimal," said co-author David R. Smith, also of Duke. "We know how to
> make a much better one."
>
> The first working cloak was in only two dimensions and did cast a small
> shadow, Smith said. The next step is to go for three dimensions and to
> eliminate any shadow.
>
> Viewers can see things because objects scatter the light that strikes
> them, reflecting some of it back to the eye.
>
> "The cloak reduces both an object's reflection and its shadow, either
> of which would enable its detection," Smith said.
>
> The cloak is made of metamaterials, which are mixtures of metal and
> circuit board materials such as ceramic, Teflon or fiber composite.
>
> In an ideal situation, the cloak and the item it is hiding would be
> invisible. An observer would see whatever is beyond them, with no
> evidence the cloaked item exists.
>
> "Since we do not have a perfect cloak at this point, there is some
> reflection and some shadow, meaning that the background would still be
> visible just darkened somewhat. ... We now just need to improve the
> performance of cloaking structures."
>
> In a very speculative application, he added, "one could imagine
> 'cloaking' acoustic waves, so as to shield a region from vibration or
> seismic activity."
>
> Natalia M. Litchinitser, a researcher at the University of Michigan
> department of electrical engineering and computer science who was not
> part of the research team, said the ideas raised by the work "represent
> a first step toward the development of functional materials for a wide
> spectrum of civil and military applications."
>
> Joining Schurig and Smith in the project were researchers at Imperial
> College in London and SensorMetrix, a materials and technology company
> in San Diego.
>
> The research was supported by the Intelligence Community Postdoctoral
> Research Fellowship Program and the United Kingdom Engineering and
> Physical Sciences Research Council. From:
> http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/nation...ml?source=mypi
>
>
> --
> Curt

Thanks Curt. The contest was a lot of fun. We are going to be doing
more of those in the near future. We got a lot of good feedback on it
and it was well received.

John

Kettlebell John wrote:
> Curt James wrote:

re the KB contest

[...]

> Thanks Curt.

Of course!

> The contest was a lot of fun. We are going to be doing
> more of those in the near future. We got a lot of good
> feedback on it and it was well received.

Hire a Russian and I'll bet you'll see more of Freides. Or not. Do you
have any Russian employees?

I'd buy a kettlebell from �лек�а�ндр И�а�евич
Солжени�цын.

> John

--
Curt
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aleksandr_Solzhenitsyn

Curt James wrote:

> Do you
> have any Russian employees?
>

Nope, not that I'm aware of... we're all good ole Americans.. although
I had a great great grandpappy from the Ukraine that supposedly used to
enjoy a snort or two (or four or five...) of vodka. Does that count?

John

Kettlebell John wrote:
> Curt James wrote:
>
> > Do you have any Russian employees?
>
> Nope, not that I'm aware of... we're all good ole Americans..

That "good ole Americans.." status or image has taken a hit in some
parts recently, but kudos all the same, John.

> although I had a great great grandpappy from the Ukraine
> that supposedly used to enjoy a snort or two (or four or
> five...) of vodka.

Not much of a vodka fan here. Not much of a drinker, in fact, but
appreciate the bar atmosphere and the chance to sit and relax with
friends.

> Does that count?

Great grandpappy's ALWAYS count. And, I suspect, that "from the
Ukraine" would hold some weight for the Russophile.

(shrug)

I developed a love for different cultures while serving in the U.S.
Navy. And, before that, from high school Spanish class. My interest
continues to this day encountering children from various countries in
the school system. Some speak no English initially, but it's amazing
what immersion combined with that amazingly plastic kiddy brain can
accomplish in a short period of time so far as language acquisition
goes. Stunning.

> John

--
Curt

Curt James wrote:

> I developed a love for different cultures while serving in the U.S.
> Navy. And, before that, from high school Spanish class. My interest
> continues to this day encountering children from various countries in
> the school system. Some speak no English initially, but it's amazing
> what immersion combined with that amazingly plastic kiddy brain can
> accomplish in a short period of time so far as language acquisition
> goes. Stunning.
>

Yeah, it really is. I was just on a field trip with my daughter and a
little boy in her class spoke both English and Arabic. Amazing what
the kids can learn and how malleable their brain is. I had read
somewhere a while back that when small children learn a language very
early, the processing is in a different part of the brain than when
learned later on, like H.S. and later. The second language processing
come from the same area of the brain as their primary language. I
don't know another language, but I've wondered if when you've learned
another language later in life, if it is like translating on the fly
from the primary to secondary language.

Kettlebell John wrote:
[...]

> don't know another language, but I've wondered if when
> you've learned another language later in life, if it is like
> translating on the fly from the primary to secondary language.

Somethingsomething code-switching.

A friend of mine who learned Spanish via full immersion in the
Dominican Republic told me that when she speaks in Spanish that she
also thinks in Spanish. Ymmv. Well, if you spoke another language, that
is.

--
Curt

Curt wrote:
> Kettlebell John wrote:
> [...]
>
> > don't know another language, but I've wondered if when
> > you've learned another language later in life, if it is like
> > translating on the fly from the primary to secondary language.
>
> Somethingsomething code-switching.
>
> A friend of mine who learned Spanish via full immersion in the
> Dominican Republic told me that when she speaks in Spanish that she
> also thinks in Spanish. Ymmv. Well, if you spoke another language, that
> is.
>
> --
> Curt


Interesting, the brain is a pretty incredible thing..

John

"Curt" <curtjames@gmail.com> writes:

> Kettlebell John wrote:
> [...]
>
>> don't know another language, but I've wondered if when
>> you've learned another language later in life, if it is like
>> translating on the fly from the primary to secondary language.
>
> Somethingsomething code-switching.
>
> A friend of mine who learned Spanish via full immersion in the
> Dominican Republic told me that when she speaks in Spanish that she
> also thinks in Spanish. Ymmv. Well, if you spoke another language,
> that is.

I learned Spanish that way, and that's definitely the case. In fact,
when I haven't spoken in Spanish for some time I can almost feel my
brain switch gears when I need to converse in Spanish. Sometimes it
even takes a bit before it feels natural again.

When I know that I am going to need to speak Spanish I usually
practice a bit in my head 15 minutes or so beforehand.

Jason